The roadworks slowing down the big festive getaway in your area

But for many, that long trip may prove stressful in itself as roadworks around the West Midlands and Staffordshire are not among those due to be lifted.

Drivers have been warned to expect ‘significant congestion’ on major roads, including the M25, M6 and M40, with an estimated 20 million leisure journeys are made in the UK this week.

More than 2.5 million and 2.8 million vehicles will take to the roads tomorrow and Friday, according to research by the RAC and traffic information firm Inrix.

To ease the congestion, roadworks will be lifted on more than 97 per cent of motorways and A roads, according to Highways England.

They will be lifted on Friday at 6am until 12.01am on January 2.

But on the M6 between Junctions 13 and 15 in Staffordshire, work to create a ‘smart motorway’ will be continuing through the festive season.

A 50mph speed restriction will be in place, with traffic management in force. Major roadworks in Cannock will continue until February 15, with the A5 and the A460 past the Orbital Retail Park badly affected.

And roadworks on the M5 at Oldbury viaduct, between Junctions 1 and 2, will also continue over the festive period – providing more delays for motorists.

A spokesman for Highways England said: “We want everyone to have good journeys this Christmas and we’re encouraging everyone to check their vehicles before setting off. To help people have smoother journeys we have removed as many roadworks as possible, leaving only essential work in place. However, it is not possible to remove all roadworks due to safety reasons.”

More than one mile of roadworks on the M6 slip road near Gravelly Hill has been completed in time for the festive season.

In Shropshire, overnight closures to renew and repair street lighting through Bayston Hill and carry out urgent carriageway patching and drainage works just north of Dorrington, will be lifted during the Christmas and New Year break along with overnight drainage schemes between Church Stretton and Wistanstow.

On Thursday, delays of up to three hours are expected on the northbound M6, while on Friday part of the southbound M40 could see drivers queuing for more than 90 minutes. Drivers are being advised to use alternative routes or wait until 8pm before setting off to avoid the worst queues.

Melanie Clarke, Highways England’s customer service director, said: “We’re doing everything we can to make journeys as smooth as possible for this Christmas getaway and that’s why we’re keeping more than 97 per cent of our road network free from roadworks.

“We know that the Christmas period is one of the busiest times on our roads and we’d also like to remind people about the importance of checking their vehicle before setting off on their journeys.

“Simple things like checking your fuel and oil levels, tyre pressures and that all lights are working properly, can keep you moving and the network flowing.”

Officers will be working around the clock, patrolling the network to help people who get into difficulty.

Inrix data scientist Joshua Kidd said: “Our data shows that compared to a normal day, Thursday will see the biggest increase in cars on the road. With most drivers setting out mid-morning, traffic will become heavier over the course of the afternoon and stay congested into the evening.

“But it’s not just those off to see family and friends – commuters, last-ditch shoppers and online deliveries will contribute to clogging the roads.”

Strikes on the railway lines are likely to affect routes run by Northern Rail and South Western Railway, while Network Rail is planning extensive engineering work on lines running into major stations such as London Paddington and London Victoria.